STMicroelectronics powers up the intelligent edge with second-generation STM32 microprocessors, bringing performance boost and industrial resilience

Rhea-AI Summary

STMicroelectronics introduces the second-generation STM32MP2 series of microprocessors, designed to power smart factories, healthcare, buildings, and infrastructure. These new devices offer 64-bit processing, edge AI acceleration, security features, and a 10-year operational lifespan. ST's STM32MP2 MPUs will drive advancements in industrial controllers, medical wearables, network gateways, and more, enabling faster response times and increased efficiency in the IoT edge.

Insights

Market Research Analyst

The launch of the STM32MP2 microprocessors by STMicroelectronics is a significant development in the semiconductor industry. These processors are designed to meet the increasing demands for intelligent edge computing, which is a fast-growing segment due to the proliferation of IoT devices. The intelligent edge refers to computing processes performed closer to data sources such as sensors or end-user devices, rather than in a centralized data-processing warehouse. This approach reduces latency, enhances security and improves system reliability.

From a market perspective, the STM32MP2 series' focus on edge AI acceleration, security and reliability directly addresses the critical needs of industries adopting IoT solutions. With the EU’s Radio Equipment Directive and the US CyberTrust mark setting stricter cybersecurity standards, the STM32MP2's compliance with SESIP Level 3 positions STMicroelectronics favorably against competitors. This compliance may lead to increased adoption rates in key markets, potentially boosting the company's market share and revenue.

Furthermore, the 10-year continuous operation capability and support for rapid development within the STM32 ecosystem can be seen as a strategic move to lock in customers for an extended period, fostering long-term relationships and recurring revenue streams. This reliability and ease of use are likely to be well-received by product developers, potentially leading to an increase in market demand for these microprocessors.

Financial Analyst

The introduction of the STM32MP2 series is poised to have a financial impact on STMicroelectronics. As a leader in the semiconductor industry, STMicroelectronics' financial performance is closely tied to its product innovation and ability to capture market trends. The intelligent edge is a burgeoning market and by providing a product that enhances the capabilities of smart devices, STMicroelectronics is strategically positioning itself to capture a significant share of this growth.

Investors should note the potential for increased revenue streams from the STM32MP2 series, especially given the processors' alignment with emerging regulatory requirements and long-term support. The company's investment in security and reliability not only serves to meet immediate market needs but also anticipates future industry standards, which could lead to a competitive advantage. The financial implications of this are dual: there is potential for both an immediate uptick in sales and long-term revenue stability.

The emphasis on a robust STM32 ecosystem for rapid development is also financially strategic, as it could lower barriers to entry for clients and reduce time-to-market for their products, which in turn could lead to higher volumes of MPU sales.

Cybersecurity Expert

The cybersecurity features of the STM32MP2 series reflect a deep understanding of the current threat landscape and the importance of securing IoT devices. The integration of ST's proprietary secure hardware, anti-tamper controls, protected firmware and secure provisioning, alongside Arm®'s TrustZone® architecture, indicates a robust approach to device security.

For businesses, the ability to offer products with embedded MPUs that are certified to SESIP Level 3 is a significant advantage, as it assures customers of the device's resilience against cyber threats. This level of security is becoming increasingly important as IoT devices become more prevalent in critical infrastructure and industries where data breaches can have severe consequences.

The STM32MP2 series' alignment with upcoming regulatory requirements could lead to a preemptive adoption by companies seeking to future-proof their products against evolving cybersecurity regulations. This proactive approach to compliance can help businesses avoid costly overhauls or penalties associated with non-compliance and it may also provide a unique selling point over less secure alternatives in the market.

STMicroelectronics powers up the intelligent edge with second-generation STM32 microprocessors, bringing performance boost and industrial resilience

• New STM32MP2 MPUs with 64-bit processing and edge AI acceleration
• Built for speed, security, and reliability
• Leverage STM32 ecosystem for rapid development and secure provisioning
  
  

Geneva, Switzerland, March 7, 2024 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, is releasing new devices from the second generation of its industrial microprocessors (MPUs), the STM32MP2 series, to drive future progress in smart factories, smart healthcare, smart buildings, and smart infrastructure.

Digital transformation is happening everywhere, driving improvements including greater business productivity, better healthcare, and enhanced safety and energy management throughout buildings, utilities, and transport networks. Critical enabling technologies include cloud computing, data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT). ST’s new STM32MP2 MPUs will power the next generations of equipment that create the fabric of this evolving digital world. These include industrial controllers and machine-vision systems, scanners, medical wearables, data aggregators, network gateways, smart appliances, and industrial and domestic robots.

“Our embedded MPUs address the trend that’s pushing more workloads and greater demands to smart devices, often deployed at the IoT edge, for faster response and increased efficiency,” said Stephane Henry, General Purpose MPU Division General Manager, STMicroelectronics, STMicroelectronics. “The new STM32MP2 devices we are announcing today extend the performance trajectory, introducing our most powerful processing engine, now adding edge AI, and supported by the STM32 ecosystem to accelerate product development.”

Architected for demanding and time-sensitive workloads, AI inferencing, and communication, and featuring state-of-the-art cyber security, the STM32MP2 MPUs are built to withstand up to 10-years’ continuous operation.

State-of-the-art security of the new STM32MP2 devices leverages ST’s proprietary secure hardware, anti-tamper controls, protected firmware, and secure provisioning, working with Arm^®’s TrustZone^® architecture, to keep sensitive data and keys secret. Certified to SESIP Level 3, the leading security test methodology for IoT devices and compliance, STM32MP2 MPUs can satisfy forthcoming tougher cyber-protection requirements in key territories worldwide. These include the US CyberTrust mark and stipulations in the EU’s Radio Equipment Directive that are due to become mandatory in 2025.

“Together with ST, we tackled the challenge of connecting our devices to the cloud. From opening locks remotely to granting new access rights, our products are shaping the future of access management," said Marco Temporiti, R&D Software Manager, ISEO. “Thanks to the STM32MP2 microprocessor with its strong encryption capabilities, we are able to build an industrial-grade gateway with unmatched reliability and security. The seamless integration with Yocto Linux has streamlined our development process, allowing us to innovate with ease. And, ST's 10-year longevity program also ensures a long product lifecycle at reduced cost, setting a new standard in the industry.”

“We worked with ST to build a 2-channel network audio adapter, leveraging the STM32MP1 series microprocessors to handle tasks like converting network digital audio signals for transmission and reception. The robust processing power, Ethernet connectivity and adaptable audio output interfaces were key considerations in choosing the STM32MP1 series for integration into our products,” said Yue XIONG, CEO, S-TRACK. “Now, we're enthusiastic about the possibilities presented by ST's latest MPUs, particularly the STM32MP2 series, which deliver improved power efficiency, enabling us to minimize cooling requirements in our enclosed casings. Additionally, the integrated Cortex-M co-processor eliminates the need for a separate microcontroller, and support for Gigabit Ethernet with precision time protocol (PTP) enables accurate data transfer and synchronization among devices. With this advanced technology, our goal is to broaden our product range to include 16-channel offerings.”

The first STM32MP2 MPUs are scheduled to enter volume production in June 2024. Sample requests and pricing information are available from local ST sales offices.

Technical notes for editors:
These are ST’s first MPUs to contain a 64-bit central processing unit (CPU), the Arm Cortex^®-A35, which runs up to 1.5GHz to raise the main processing capability compared to the first-generation STM32MP1 devices.

The CPU is the center of a true heterogeneous processing engine that also contains a Cortex-M33 core. In addition, there is a graphics processor (GPU), neural processor (NPU), and a video processor (VPU). AI workloads can run on the CPU, GPU, or NPU depending on processor loading and application demands, for optimal performance and energy efficiency. In fact, the high efficiency of these MPUs permits system designs to go without active cooling, gaining advantages such as smaller size, silent operation, greater reliability, and reduced power consumption.

The 3D GPU supports up to 1080p displays and the powerful multimedia features also include a full-HD video pipeline with parallel LVDS and DSI interfaces. Together with a MIPI CSI-2 camera interface with ISP, these enhance support for cutting-edge machine-vision applications.
There are further powerful industrial interfaces, including up to three Gigabit Ethernet ports with a 2-port switch and support for Ethernet time-sensitive networking (TSN). There are also PCIe Gen2, USB 3.0, and three CAN-FD interfaces that ease integration in a wide variety of communication and control applications.

The devices are fully supported with STM32 development resources that are familiar to engineers working with ST’s STM32 microcontrollers (MCUs) and STM32 microprocessors. The STM32Cube ecosystem provides tools and dedicated MPU software packs including OpenSTLinux and OpenSTDroid for Android support. There are also evaluation boards that provide further help to simplify development and accelerate project completion.

For more information, please go to https://www.st.com/en/microcontrollers-microprocessors/stm32-arm-cortex-mpus.html.

* STM32 is a registered and/or unregistered trademark of STMicroelectronics International NV or its affiliates in the EU and/or elsewhere. In particular, STM32 is registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office.

About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

For Press Information Contact:

Alexis Breton        
Corporate External Communications
Tel: +33.6.59.16.79.08
alexis.breton@st.com

Attachments

• P4612S -- Mar 7 2024 -- STM32MP2 MPUs_FINAL FOR PUBLICATION
• P4612S -- Mar 7 2024 -- STM32MP2 MPUs_IMAGE

FAQ

What is the name of the new series of microprocessors released by STMicroelectronics?

STMicroelectronics has released the second-generation STM32MP2 series of microprocessors.

What are some key features of the STM32MP2 MPUs?

The STM32MP2 MPUs offer 64-bit processing, edge AI acceleration, state-of-the-art cyber security, and a 10-year operational lifespan.

Which industries will benefit from the new STM32MP2 series?

The STM32MP2 series will drive progress in smart factories, healthcare, buildings, and infrastructure.

What security features are included in the STM32MP2 devices?

The STM32MP2 devices feature secure hardware, anti-tamper controls, protected firmware, and secure provisioning, meeting SESIP Level 3 security standards.

How long is the operational lifespan of the STM32MP2 MPUs?

The STM32MP2 MPUs are built to withstand up to 10 years of continuous operation.